Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Male Reproductive Health: A Review of the Literature on Male Reproductive Involvement in COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a global pandemic. Global epidemiological results show that elderly men are susceptible to infection of COVID-19. The difference in the number of cases reported by gender increases progressively in favor of male subjects up to the age group ≥60-69 (66.6%) and ≥70-79 (66.1%). Through literature search and analysis, we also found that men are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection than women. In addition, men with COVID-19 have a higher mortality rate than women. Male represents 73% of deaths in China, 59% in South Korea, and 61.8% in the United States. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen of COVID-19, which is transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct and indirect contact. Genomic analysis has shown that SARS-CoV-2 is 79% identical to SARS-CoV, and both use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the receptor for invading cells. In addition, Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) can enhance ACE2-mediated virus entry. However, SARS-CoV-2 has a high affinity with human ACE2, and its consequences are more serious than other coronaviruses. ACE2 acts as a "gate" for viruses to invade cells and is closely related to the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Studies have found that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the testis and male reproductive tract and are regulated by testosterone. Mature spermatozoon even has all the machinery required to bind SARS-CoV-2, and these considerations raise the possibility that spermatozoa could act as potential vectors of this highly infectious disease. This review summarizes the gender differences in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and proposes the possible mechanism of orchitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the potential transmission route of the virus. In the context of the pandemic, these data will improve the understanding of the poor clinical outcomes in male patients with COVID-19 and the design of new strategies to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction

In early December 2019, several cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology were reported in China (Wuhan City of Hubei Province). The pathogen was confirmed as a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by the Chinese authorities on January 7, 2020 (1). At present, the International Research Committee on Taxonomy of Pathogens and Viruses officially named the pathogen as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV2 has emerged as a novel β-coronavirus and is the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (2). Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, the number of infected cases has increased exponentially, and it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. By August 1, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected 17,786,110 people and caused 683,491 deaths (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/). In the past two decades, coronaviruses have caused two serious pandemics, including SARS in 2002 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012 (3). Although they all belong to the β-coronavirus cluster, SARS-CoV-2 has caused more infections, deaths and economic disruptions. According to recent reports, COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact, and its main symptoms and signs include fever, dry cough, nasal congestion, fatigue, ageusia, lymphopenia, and dyspnea (1). The disease spectrum of COVID-19 ranges from mild and self-limiting respiratory tract illness to severe progressive pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and death (4). Notably, male individuals seem to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their mortality rate is also high (5, 6). Coronavirus infection is known to cause orchitis in cats, and based on reports, orchitis is a complication of SARS (7, 8). Ebola virus and Zika virus can cause sexual transmission of the virus by contaminating semen (9, 10). However, similar findings have not been reported in SARS-CoV-2.

In this review, we comprehensively review COVID-19 with regard to its pathogenic mechanism, clinical manifestations, and gender differences from related literature. In addition, we explain the relationship between COVID-19 and the previous two coronavirus pandemics. The possible mechanism of orchitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the potential transmission route of the virus are explored, emphasizing the challenges faced by male reproductive health in this pandemic.

Pathogenic Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2

Virion Structure

Coronavirus (CoV) is an enveloped positive-sense RNA virus with special glycoprotein spikes around the viral envelope, showing a crown-like appearance under an electron microscope (2). With regard to genes, CoV is categorized into four important genera (Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus), which are the largest groups of viruses that cause respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The α-CoV and β-CoV can infect mammals, whereas γ-CoV and δ-CoV predominantly infect birds (1). Structurally, coronavirus is composed of hemagglutinin esterase (only found in some β-CoVs), envelope, nucleocapsid, membrane, and spike (S) protein. S protein is an immense multipurpose viral transmembrane protein, and the entry of coronavirus into host cells is mediated by the interactions between S protein and its receptor (11). On mature viruses, the S protein exists as a trimer and contains two functional subunits, which mediate the binding to the host cell receptor (S1 subunit) and the fusion of the viral membrane and the cell membrane (S2 subunit) (12). Studies have shown that SARS-CoV has a receptor-binding domain (RBD) at the C-terminus of S1 (13). In addition, different coronaviruses use distinct domains within the S1 subunit to recognize various attachments to entry receptors (Figure 1) (12). A recent study has determined the crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 RBD complexed with the receptor, revealing the subtle but important difference in receptor recognition between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV (14).

Figure 1

The structure of coronavirus spikes includes: S1, S2, TM, IC, RBD. The RBD hidden in the spikes for immune evasion. When recognizing the ACE2 receptor, the RBD stands up to bind the receptor. The furin pre-activation of the spike can enhance the ability of the virus to enter certain cells. At the cell membrane, SARS-CoV-2 recognizes the ACE2 receptor and recruits TMPRSS2. TMPRSS2 facilitates viral entry and spreads into the host cell by cleaving ACE2 and S protein. S1, receptor-binding subunit 1; S2, membrane fusion subunit 2; TM, transmembrane anchor; IC, intracellular tail; RBD, receptor-binding domain; ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2; TMPRSS2, type II transmembrane serine protease.

Cellular Receptor for Coronavirus

Based on previous reports, the S protein of SARS-CoV binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a host cell receptor. Given the genome sequence similarity between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, other studies have validated that SARS-CoV-2 also uses ACE2 as its receptor (12, 15, 16). On the other hand, proteases recruited by the virus to facilitate membrane fusion, especially TMPRSS2 (a type II transmembrane serine protease), which can cleave ACE2 and S protein, eliminate the structural constraint of S1 on S2, and releasing the internal membrane fusion peptide, thereby enhancing viral entry (Figure 1) (17). The full-length ACE2 consists of an N-terminal peptidase domain (PD) and a C-terminal Collectrin-like domain (18). The structure of the claw-like ACE2-PD alone and that complexed with the RBD of the S protein of SARS-CoV reveal the molecular basis of the interaction between the RBD of S protein and PD of ACE2 (19, 20).

ACE2 is a membrane exopeptidase, which is expressed in multiple organ systems, including the type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells, enterocytes of the small intestine, heart, kidneys, and testes (21, 22). The sequence of ACE2 is 41.8% identical to the domain of ACE (21). In addition, ACE2 plays a crucial role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) (23). After angiotensinogen is produced in the liver, it is cleaved by renin to angiotensinogen (Ang) I, which is then converted to Ang II by ACE. Ang II induces bronchial smooth muscle contraction, pulmonary fibroblast proliferation, alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis, and pulmonary vascular permeability (24). By contrast, ACE2 acts as an angiotensin II-degrading enzyme to generate angiotensin (1-7), which has vasodilation, antihypertensive, and diuretic effects (25). Moreover, ACE2 participates in the absorption of neutral amino acids in the intestine (24). ACE2 has protective effects in multiple pathophysiological processes. The lack of protection of ACE2 leads to dysfunctional RAS and causes acute lung pathologies. Researchers found that infection of avian influenza H5N1, H7N9, and SARS-CoV results in a remarkably reduced ACE2 expression and subsequently elevates Ang II, which is associated with disease progression, severity, and lethality (26, 27). Furthermore, ACE2 can protect the lungs from acute lung injury. This protection is achieved by inactivating Ang II to negatively regulate RAS. The key positive role of ACE2 is not only in the respiratory system, but also in the modulation of heart function, kidney protection, and absorption of tryptophan in the epithelium of the small intestine (21, 22, 24). However, ACE2 plays an indispensable role in facilitating the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. The duality of ACE2 has become the focus of recent research.

Relationship With SARS-CoV and MERS Coronaviruses

In the past two decades, coronaviruses have caused two severe pandemics, including SARS in 2002 and MERS in 201 (3), both of which belong to the β-coronavirus cluster. The WHO has affirmed that SARS has caused 8,096 morbidities and 774 deaths in 2003, with a case fatality rate of 9.6%. By contrast, MERS has caused 2,494 cases and 858 deaths with a case fatality rate of 34.4% (1). SARS-CoV-2 is a novel β-coronavirus. Genomic analysis has shown that SARS-CoV-2 is ~79% identical to SARS-CoV (16), and it is the third zoonotic coronavirus disease and the third major medical crisis.

Despite the high case fatality rate of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 has caused more infections, deaths, and economic disruptions. By August 1, 2020, a total of 17,786,110 COVID-19 cases and 683,491 deaths were reported (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/). Surface plasmon resonance technology was used to quantify the interaction kinetics of SARS-CoV-2-ACE2. The results show that the ectodomain of SARS-CoV-2 S protein binds to the PD of ACE2 with approximately 15 nM affinity, which is about 10- to 20-fold higher than that of SARS-CoV and ACE2 (28). A study has elucidated the structural and biochemical mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 receptor recognition. The researchers have found that compared with SARS-CoV, the four residues responsible for coronavirus receptor binding in SARS-CoV-2 RBD have structural changes (residues 482–485: Gly-Val-Glu-Gly). The 3D structure of such residues shows a more compact configuration and form better contact with the N-terminal helix of ACE2 (14). In the loop conformation of the ACE2-binding ridge, the flexible glycyl residues of SARS-CoV-2 replace the rigid prolyl residues in SARS-CoV. The phenylalanine Phe486 of SARS-CoV-2 RBD is inserted into the hydrophobic pocket to provide an additional binding force (29). In addition, previous studies have identified two virus-binding hotspots (hotspot Lys31 and hotspot Lys353) and compared with SARS-CoV, both virus-binding hotspots are stabilized at the SARS-CoV-2–ACE2 interface (14). Finally, SARS-CoV-2 also has a multi-base (FURIN) cleavage site that can increase the ability of the virus to internalize into cells, thereby reducing its dependence on target cell proteases for entry (15). Based on the abovementioned findings, SARS-CoV-2 exhibits a high affinity with human receptors and notable contagiousness, and its consequences are more serious than other coronaviruses. Intervention strategies based on the SARS-CoV-2 receptor recognition structure are currently studied.

Clinical Manifestations of COVID-19

Relationship of ACE2 Distribution and Clinical Manifestations

The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 have a strong correlation with the tissue distribution of ACE2, and its initial clinical manifestations are usually fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, and pneumonia (28). As the prominently targeted organ, ACE2 in normal lung tissue is expressed in type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells (22). The interaction between SARS-CoV2 and ACE2 may cause symptomatic infection. In the second or third week of a symptomatic infection, the infection can develop into a severe disease with dyspnoea and chest symptoms (30). Pathological changes show diffuse alveolar injury with cellular fibromyxoid exudates, pulmonary edema, and hyaline membrane formation, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (31). Clinical data show decreased oxygen saturation, and the radiological characteristic is progressive pneumonia (6). Laboratory findings indicate that lymphopenia with or without leukocyte abnormalities is the major para-clinical criterion for patients with COVID-19 infection. SARS-CoV2 can indirectly infect and destroy immune cells (mostly T cells) and macrophages, causing a decrease in lymphocytes, particularly CD8+ T cells, and neutrophils may increase, and blood C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate increase (32). Notably, COVID-19 patients have elevated D-dimers. Researches have reported that the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with COVID-19 is 25%, and VTE often leads to unfavorable prognosis (25). Severe COVID-19 patients also have elevated levels of pro- and inflammatory cytokines, and cytokine storm may be the primary phenomenon of virus pathogenesis, which can lead to inflammation, lung injury, ARDS, and other organ failures (33). Some patients show involvement of other organs, and some patients presented with cardiovascular system symptoms as their first complaints, such as palpitation and chest distress. In a clinical study involving 41 COVID-19 patients, 12% of patients have developed acute fulminant myocarditis (34). Whether the pathophysiological mechanism of myocardial injury is due to the direct attack on the heart after SARS-CoV-2 interacts with ACE2 still needs further research. The Human Protein Atlas database shows that ACE2 protein has a high expression level in the kidneys (35). A recent study showed that 23 of 85 COVID-19 patients have developed acute renal failure. The autopsy results show that six of the patients have severe acute tubular necrosis (28). Intracellular virus arrays are observed in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells by electron microscopy, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects human renal tubules and causes acute tubular damage (35). Consequently, deterioration of renal function will increase the burden on the heart and the risk of infection, affecting the poor prognosis. Researchers have explored the expression of ACE2 in the digestive system by scRNA-seq analysis, and the results show that ACE2 is expressed not only in cholangiocytes but also in absorptive enterocytes in the ileum and colon (36). Although gastrointestinal symptoms are not as common as respiratory symptoms, they can also manifest as initial symptoms.

Potential Transmission Mode of SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, direct and indirect contact, and has the characteristics of human-to-human transmission. Another mode of transmission is “hidden transmission,” which is defined as asymptomatic virus carriers who become the source of infection and transmit SARS-CoV-2 to close contacts (1). SARS-CoV-2 RNA has also been detected in other biological samples, such as stool, urine, and blood. In particular, stool contains viral RNA in a high percentage of cases, and virus clearance in stool takes longer than pharyngeal swabs. Moreover, the proportion of patients with viral RNA detected in the urine and blood is fairly low (37, 38). Recent studies have reported that SARS-CoV-2 is present in saliva, and the viral load lasts for a long duration; the study has also speculated that the salivary glands may act as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 to increase the viral load in saliva (39). Lu et al. reported that SARS-CoV-2 can also be transmitted through the mucous membranes, including conjunctival secretions and tears (40). Therefore, in addition to the respiratory tract and lungs, SARS-CoV-2 transmission raises questions about viral shedding in other body fluids (including seminal fluid) and other modes of transmission. The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the testis and male genital tract indicates that the testis is a high-risk organ susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection (41). Wang et al. reported that CD147 was another possible SARS-CoV-2 virus invasion pathway. Liu et al. analyzed the expression level of BSG (CD147) and found that BSG was expressed in all types of testis cells (42). The expression of genes involved in multiple pathways provided more possibilities for virus invasion. If the virus can infect human testes, it may involve multiple pathways and even lead to viral contamination of the seminal fluid (42, 43). In previous reports, researchers found that semen samples from survivors of Ebola virus disease remained positive for up to 272 days after the onset of symptoms (44). Some viruses may also be persistent, such as the Zika virus, which can be detected in the semen of a cured male patient for up to 1 year (41). The persistence of the virus indicates that semen can act as a virus reservoir for Ebola and Zika viruses and can be sexually transmitted (9, 10). Is this potential transmission route suitable for SARS-CoV-2? This issue has been under-investigated so far. Examination of existing proteomic databases and sperm surface surveys with monoclonal antibodies revealed that, literally, these cells hold all of the ACEs, including ACE2 (45–48). In addition to ACE2, the fusion between SARS-CoV-2 and human sperm also requires the presence of TMPRSS2. This protease is known to be present in prostasomes that are released into the seminal fluid from the prostate gland at ejaculation (49). These exosome-like structures seem to incorporate TMPRSS2 into sperm (50). A close examination of the human sperm proteomic database also reveals the presence of related proteases TMPRSS11B and TMPRSS12 as well as FURIN (45, 46), in these cells, all of which are thought to serve as activating proteases for viral infection including coronaviruses (51–53). The presence of these activating proteases and ACE2 in the sperm plasma membrane provides the possibility for the sexual transmission of the virus. However, it remains to be seen whether SARS-CoV-2 can replicate in large quantities after entering the cell, and then, release themselves out of host cells causing damage and further spread, just like it does in the lungs. In terms of clinical results, Paoli et al. reported the absence of viral RNA in the semen of a male who was cured by COVID-19 (54). Pan et al. investigated semen samples from 34 Chinese male patients and confirmed the absence of the virus in all samples. Pan et al. also pointed out that in the scRNA-seq dataset of human testicular cells, ACE2, and TMPRSS2 are sparsely expressed in human testes, and there is almost no overlapping gene expression. Therefore, ACE2-mediated viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 into target host cells is unlikely to occur within the human testicle (55). Unfortunately, men with COVID-19 in this study are more likely to have demonstrated milder symptoms. It is plausible that viremia or a certain viral threshold is not achieved to cross the blood-testis barrier (56). Previous studies have shown that higher viral load is associated with more severe disease symptoms. Song et al. tested 12 Chinese patients with COVID-19 at the rehabilitation stage. None of these patients showed viral RNA in their semen samples. Notably, the authors tested the testis tissue of a patient who died of COVID-19 and did not detect viral RNA (57). Contrary to previous results, Li et al. reported the detection of six SARS-CoV-2-positive semen samples in semen collected from 38 severe and recovering Chinese COVID-19 patients (58). The authors cited 12 comatose or dying subjects. As we hypothesized, more severe diseases may correspond to higher blood viral load and a higher chance of crossing the blood-testis barrier. However, the methodological issues of the study have raised some concerns. According to the results of recent clinical studies, SARS-CoV-2 showed only a minor risk of virus shedding into the semen. Nevertheless, even a minor risk is unacceptable in the light of treating otherwise healthy couples for infertility reasons. Therefore, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology has issued warning that prospective parents, ART patients, gamete donors, and gestational carriers who meet the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic criteria must avoid pregnancy or participate in any fertility programs (59). Current studies are limited by the small sample size and short follow-up time. Therefore, detailed information about virus shedding and survival time requires further research. If it could be proved that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted sexually in the future studies, the sexual transmission might be a critical part of the prevention of transmission. Based on the abovementioned considerations, patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 should monitor testicular function, including testosterone and sperm concentration. Unprotected sexual relations must be avoided to prevent from possible infection.

Impact of Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes

For the first time in China, gender differences in COVID-19-detected cases and mortality has been reported (5, 6). Consistent with the global situation, the difference in the number of cases reported by gender increases progressively in favor of male subjects up to the age group ≥60–69 (66.6%) and ≥70–79 (66.1%). However, in the age group of 20–39, the detection rate of women is slightly high (60). In addition, male individuals are more susceptible to the infection and have the highest mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 (5). Male represents 73% of deaths in China, 59% in South Korea (25), and 61.8% in the United States (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sexdemographics/). A recent study has collected epidemiological data available to 59,254 patients from 11 different countries, and the results also show an association between male and high mortality rate (61). Several studies have shown that a substantial percentage of COVID-19 occurs in patients with underlying comorbidities. In particular, in elderly male patients with comorbidities, the mortality rate of COVID-19 appears to be higher. Common comorbidities include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and cancer. Men with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions have the highest case fatality rate (6, 33, 34). Thus, some researchers have considered male sex as a poor prognostic factor (25). Although the research data of Wu et al. (62), Nogueira et al. (63), and Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the proportion of women infected with SARS-CoV-2 was higher, the majority of death cases were men (64). Through literature search and analysis, we found that men are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection than women (Figure 2) (62–94). Why are men more affected in this pandemic? In this context, analyzing the pathological mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 binding to various tissue cells under different hormone environments is important. Based on previous studies, SARS-Cov-2 interacts with the ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2 to enter the cell (15). Physiologically, the expression of ACE2 is negatively correlated with age, and men have higher expression than women of comparable age (34). Some reports indicate that healthy and diabetic men and men with renal disease have higher levels of ACE2 circulation than women (95). Sex hormones affect many components of tissue-based RAAS, including ACE2 (96). Although the genes coding for ACE2 are located on the X chromosome, many reports of preclinical studies agree that the expression of ACE2 in males under pathological conditions is frequently higher than that in females (23, 96). Data from experimental animal models has shown that sex hormones can affect the expression and activity of ACE2 in the mouse adipose tissue, kidneys, and myocardium. In normal mice, the activity of ACE2 in the kidneys of male mice is higher than that of female mice; spontaneously hypertensive male mice also show higher ACE2 expression than female mice, and the difference may be due to the secretion of female estradiol (E2) (97, 98). Some studies also show that, after ovariectomy, the ACE2 expression in the kidneys and adipose tissue of women increases, whereas estradiol replacement decreases the expression of ACE2. Male orchiectomy can reduce ACE2 activity. Thus, testosterone maintains high levels of ACE2 expression in the heart and kidneys, whereas estrogen reduces ACE2 expression in these organs (23). Recently, it has been confirmed that the expression level of ACE2 in male lungs is higher than that in females (31). TMPRSS2 belongs to the type II transmembrane serine protease family, which is considered as a critical host cell factor for the spread of a variety of clinically relevant viruses, including influenza A virus, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV coronaviruses (3, 99). TMPRSS2 is highly expressed in the prostate epithelium, localized, and metastatic prostate cancer (100). TMPRSS2 expression has also been detected in airway epithelial cells (31). Androgen receptor (AR) activity is considered as a requirement for TMPRSS2 gene transcription (30). AR has been shown to modulate TMPRSS2 expression in non-prostate tissues (including the lungs). In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that androgen administration increases TMPRSS2 expression in human lung epithelial cells, and androgen deprivation reduces the transcription of TMPRSS2 in the murine lung (101). Moreover, inhibiting TMPRSS2 may prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection (102). Data from a study in the Veneto region of Italy show that among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 68 hospitals, the risk of infection for SARS-CoV-2 in-patients with prostate cancer who received androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is significantly reduced (OR 4.05; 95% CI 1.55-10.59) compared with patients who did not receive ADT (100). Collectively, the modulation of testosterone on the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 is considered as a contributor to the dominant male COVID-19 infection (30). However, no thorough analysis of the specific mechanism of this difference has been conducted. In addition to the aforementioned factors, body immune response, viral load, lifestyle differences, and other potentially unknown mechanisms may jointly affect the progress and prognosis of COVID-19. Men and women are known to have differences with regard to the risk and severity of diseases involving the immune system. Women are susceptible to autoimmune diseases, whereas men are disproportionately affected by infectious diseases. In particular, age may lead to gender differentiation in the outcome of COVID-19 cases. Compared with women, men's age-related decline in T cell function accelerates (103). Globally, smoking and drinking rates are higher among men than women, and smoking is associated with increased activity of ACE2. Gender differences in behavior such as smoking and drinking may cause men to have an increased risk of comorbidities, such as chronic lung disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which may provide a possible explanation for the higher mortality in men (23).

Figure 2

Data on the proportion of males infected with SARS-CoV-2 from 33 articles.

SARS-CoV-2 and Male Fertility

Similarly, scRNA-seq analysis documents that ACE2 is highly expressed in seminiferous tubule cells, spermatogonia, adult Leydig, and Sertoli cells of the human testis, and Leydig cells may be involved in the regulation of steroidogenesis (104). TMPRSS2 is highly expressed in the prostate epithelial cells and the apical plasma membrane of prostate luminal cells (15). These findings imply a potential risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the male reproductive system. Based on previous studies, viruses such as HIV, HBV, mumps, human herpes, Ebola, and Zika can invade the human testes and cause viral orchitis, and in some cases, lead to male infertility and testicular tumor (105). Xu et al. described the pathological changes of the testis in the autopsy reports of six men who died of SARS-CoV complications. The testes of the deceased showed extensive germ cell destruction, with few or no sperm in the seminiferous tubules. The basement membrane of the testis was thickened, and peritubular fibrosis was observed. Leukocyte infiltration and vascular congestions were present in the interstitial tissue (8). At present, such occurrence has not yet been described for SARS-CoV-2. A recent study has reported the characteristics of the 34 Chinese men recovering from COVID-19 and found that six patients (19%) have scrotal discomfort around the time of COVID-19 confirmation (55). However, no testicular investigation was conducted in these patients to rule out this aspect and the possibility of viral orchitis remains unclear. We propose hypotheses based on previous studies. Testicular injury in COVID-19 patients may involve multiple possible mechanisms: (1) Fever raises the temperature of the testis, leading to apoptosis of meiotic germ cells (106). Fever also plays an important role in mumps orchitis. (2) Similar to other viral orchitides, SARS-CoV-2 may cross the blood-testis barrier and trigger an immune response in the testis or a secondary autoimmune response, leading to autoimmune orchitis (8, 55). (3) The combination of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 may directly impair testicular function and cause epididymal orchitis. (4) COVID-19 has been associated with abnormalities in coagulation, and the segmental vascularization in the testis can account for an orchitis-like syndrome (43). Recently, the world's first case of priapism in a COVID-19 patient was reported, and the presence of dark blood clots at cavernosal blood aspiration supports ischemia-related priapism (107). Previous studies have found that orchitis is a complication of SARS (8). Due to the strict relation between the two viruses, it may be generalized to SARS-CoV-2, but it should be emphasized that the current evidence is limited and contradictory. As mentioned earlier, sperm cells hold all of the ACEs, including ACE2, which converts angiotensin II to angiotensin (1-7). Recent publications indicate that human sperm also express angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R), and the angiotensin (1-7) MAS receptor (48, 108). These cells, therefore, possess the complete repertoire of ligand-processing enzymes and receptors needed to support RAAS. By analogy with somatic cells, a SARS-CoV-2 attack on human spermatozoa would be expected to impact ACE2 activity leading to an increase in the availability of angiotensin II relative to angiotensin (1-7). Since angiotensin II stimulates the acrosome reaction in sperm cells, it is possible that prolonged exposure to elevated levels of angiotensin II might lead to premature acrosomal exocytosis and sperm senescence (109). Angiotensin II also further affects sperm fertilization and motility by stimulating AT1R and AT2R (108). The recent discovery of MAS receptors in the principal piece of the sperm tail and the acrosomal domain of the sperm head further emphasizes the importance of ACE2. Angiotensin (1-7) activates MAS receptors to maintain sperm in a viable motile state. However, SARS-CoV-2 attack may affect the generation of angiotensin (1-7), thereby initiating a truncated apoptotic cascade characterized by rapid motility loss (110). A cohort study showed that although SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in the semen samples of recovered or acutely infected patients, patients with a moderate infection have statistically significant impairment of sperm quality (sperm concentration, total number of sperm per ejaculate, total number of progressive motility, total number of complete motility) compared with men recovered from a mild infection and the control group (111). The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive function is still unclear, and the abovementioned possible pathogenesis needs further research.

Recently, how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect fertility has received widespread attention. Considering the previous pandemic experience and the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic, fertility decline seems to be possible, particularly in high-income countries and in the short term (112). Given the possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male fertility, COVID-19 may directly or indirectly affect the world's demographics in the future.

Conclusion

COVID-19 is a zoonotic coronavirus disease that has constituted a pandemic, endangering human lives, and the global economy (32). Compared with women, men are more susceptible to infections in this outbreak, and their mortality of COVID-19 is also higher (5). SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of COVID-19, which is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, direct and indirect contact (1). Genomic analysis shows that SARS-CoV-2 is 79% identical to the SARS-CoV, and both use ACE2 as their receptor. In addition, TMPRSS2 can enhance ACE2-mediated viral entry (15, 16). The structural basis of SARS-CoV-2 receptor recognition indicates that it has a higher affinity with human ACE2, and the consequences are more serious than other coronaviruses (14). Although ACE2 acts as a “gate” for viruses to invade cells, it also has protective effects on multiple pathophysiological processes (28). The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 have a strong correlation with tissue distribution of ACE2. Apart from the lung tissue, ACE2 is also expressed in the heart, kidney, intestine, and testis and causes corresponding clinical symptoms (21, 22). Testosterone can increase the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, and apart from human immune response, lifestyle differences and other factors affect the progress and prognosis of COVID-19, providing a possible explanation for the male-dominated infection and higher mortality (23, 30, 103). Studies have found that the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the testes and male genital tract indicate that the testis is also an organ susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection (41). A close examination of the human sperm proteomic database reveals that these cells not only hold all of the ACEs (including ACE2), but also have related proteases TMPRSS11B, TMPRSS12, and FURIN (45–48). The presence of these activating proteases and ACE2 in the sperm plasma membrane provides the possibility for the sexual transmission of the virus. Based on previous studies, many viruses can invade the human testes, cause viral orchitis (8, 105), and even lead to viral contamination of seminal fluid (43). For example, seminal fluid can serve as a virus reservoir for Ebola and Zika viruses, and they can be sexually transmitted (9, 10). But it is still quite unclear for SARS-CoV-2. A study has reported that six Chinese male patients (19%) recovering from COVID-19 have scrotal discomfort around the time of COVID-19 confirmation (55). Li et al. reported the detection of six SARS-CoV-2-positive semen samples in semen collected from 38 severe and recovering Chinese COVID-19 patients (58). However, more studies have reported the opposite result (41, 57). The risk of testicular damage and sexual transmission caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection requires further in-depth studies. How the COVID-19 pandemic will affect fertility has received widespread attention. Recent publications indicate that human sperm also express angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R), and the angiotensin (1-7) MAS receptor (48, 108). SARS-CoV-2 attacking human sperm may interact with these receptors, affecting sperm fertilization and motility in many ways, leading to male infertility.

This article describes the pathogenic mechanism and clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to published literature. Based on the epidemiological results, the susceptibility of men to SARS-CoV-2 needs further exploration. The possible mechanism of orchitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the potential transmission route of the virus are proposed, raising concerns about male reproductive health in the context of COVID-19.

Author Contributions

WH and XL searched the literature and conceived and wrote the review. LF, SX, YulL, LC, YuL, GW, DL, and BF critically appraised the literature and made a intellectual contribution to the work. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript for publication.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.